EXCLUSIVE: Princess Diana's Brother Plans to 'Set Record Straight' in New Book
Princess Diana's brother plans to set the record straight in his new book, according to insiders.
Aug. 24 2026, Published 7:37 p.m. ET
Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer is preparing to "set the record straight" about the late royal in a deeply personal new book challenging what he says are enduring untruths about her life, marriage and death.
As Radaronline.com has revealed, Spencer, 62, will publish Swan Song ahead of the 30th anniversary of Diana's death in a Paris car crash aged 36 on August 31, 1997.
The Truth About Dianas Darkest Days
Charles Spencer decided to write a memoir about his sister Princess Diana.
The memoir will cover their childhood, Diana's turbulent 15-year marriage to the future King Charles, now 77, and the extraordinary aftermath of her death, when public grief engulfed Britain and shook the monarchy.
A publishing source told Radar in an exclusive interview: "Charles feels that three decades of books, documentaries and commentary have allowed certain claims about Diana to harden into accepted history. He had a uniquely close view of her life and believes this is his opportunity to put his own account permanently on the record – including what she endured during her marriage and what happened after she died. His intention is to finally set the record straight about what he sees as the truth about his sister's life."
Spencer said: "With the 30th anniversary of Diana's tragic death on the skyline, I've been inundated yet again with requests for interviews about my sister.
"This has convinced me to write down my own thoughts and memories, once and for all, rather than having the discomfort of again reading the opinions of others, many of which are based on untruths that have become accepted over time."
Why He Is Finally Breaking His Silence
Spencer aimed to counter accepted untruths about Diana's life and marriage.
Spencer famously delivered a defiant eulogy at Diana's Westminster Abbey funeral, watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide.
He pledged Diana's "blood family" would protect her sons, Prince William, now 44, and Prince Harry, 41.
A source familiar with the project added: "This book isn't intended as another outsider's analysis of Diana. Charles wants to reclaim some of the narrative as her brother. There are things he believes have been misunderstood, distorted or repeated without sufficient challenge, and he wants readers to understand the woman behind the mythology."
Spencer added in his announcement the book is on the way: "The aim of this book is to tell the truth about Diana from her brother's perspective, just as I attempted to do when speaking at her funeral.
"As with my eulogy, I want to speak on Diana's behalf and do so in an openly positive way."
The Funeral Secret That Enraged Royalty
Prince Harry noted Spencer opposed making the young princes walk behind the coffin.
The book is also expected to revisit the fraught days after Diana's death.
Harry wrote in his 2023 memoir Spare Spencer opposed having the young princes walk behind their mother's coffin, describing the proposal as a "barbarity."
Spencer has previously spoken about his continuing sadness surrounding Diana's death and her enduring connection with people who identified with her struggles.
He said: "It's different things to different people, particularly to women of a similar age. They really invested their lives in hers."
Harry And Meghans Explosive Next Move
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Reports indicated Harry and Meghan planned a documentary honoring Diana's legacy.
Spencer and Diana spent their early childhood at Park House on the Sandringham estate before moving to Althorp in 1975.
Diana called her younger brother "Carlos," while he affectionately called her "Duch."
Swan Song, published by Penguin Michael Joseph on September 22, will feature a black-and-white photograph of Diana on its cover and is due to appear internationally in 12 languages.
Other sources have told us Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are planning to release a documentary marking Diana's 30th death anniversary – which they have told us is "enraging" Prince William.
